It has recently been reported that AI is set to affect nearly 40% of all jobs and in most scenarios will likely worsen overall inequality. Sheree Atcheson, Group VP of Diversity & Inclusion at Valtech, discusses the changes happening in the workplace with regards to AI and diversity, equity and inclusion.
AI stands at the intersection of technological advancement and human potential, promising to revolutionise countless fields such as healthcare and transportation, whilst carrying the potential to reshape our world in unpredictable ways. But amidst the excitement lies a crucial question: what impact will AI have on jobs and, ultimately, inequality?
There’s no doubt that AI is an exciting journey we’re embarking on, but one we must undertake with open eyes. The investment required to truly unlock its benefits is significant, creating a real risk of widening the digital divide between richer and poorer nations. This isn’t just a theoretical concern; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that nearly 40% of all jobs could be affected by AI, with repetitive tasks often held by lower-income individuals most at risk. This could disproportionately impact communities already struggling with limited economic opportunities, potentially fuelling social unrest and widening the wealth gap.
The IMF study echoes an earlier report from Goldman Sachs in 2023, which forecasted that AI could eliminate 300 million full time jobs, while also predicting the creation of new opportunities and a surge in productivity.
With this in mind, we must rise to meet this challenge head-on, actively navigating the potential pitfalls while harnessing the benefits of AI. Here’s how I see us moving forward…
Employers as proactive partners
Put simply, we can’t afford to be complacent. Businesses must transform into proactive partners in this transition, acknowledging the potential impact on our workforces and taking active steps to mitigate it. Upskilling and reskilling programmes should be the norm across organisations in today’s digital age, equipping employees with the necessary skills to adapt and thrive in the AI-driven future.
Businesses need to go beyond reactive measures to proactively understand how AI will impact their industry, workforce and skill demands. Upskilling and reskilling shouldn’t be viewed as one-time solutions. Instead, invest in a culture of continuous learning within the organisation. Encourage employees to explore new technologies, participate in industry conferences and pursue ongoing skills development opportunities.
It’s important to remember that AI does not replace humans; it augments them. While AI excels at automation and data analysis, human creativity, empathy and critical thinking remain irreplaceable assets. Therefore, the future lies in fostering a symbiotic relationship between humans and technology. This means leveraging AI to enhance human expertise and unlock possibilities beyond either’s individual capabilities. After all, intersections serve as a space where diverse cultures, perspectives and disciplines converge, giving rise to a cascade of ideas. This confluence of creativity, knowledge and experience is the catalyst for true innovation.
Bridging the digital divide
Ignoring the global technology gap would be irresponsible, and AI has the potential to widen the divide even further. Imagine a world where AI-powered solutions streamline government services, optimise healthcare delivery and fuel economic growth – opportunities tantalisingly out of reach for communities lacking the infrastructure and resources to access them. This is the stark reality facing many developing nations, where the cost of Internet access, hardware and training remains prohibitively high.
Wealthier nations have a moral and practical obligation to invest in supporting poorer countries in accessing and utilising AI for their own benefit. This includes not only providing the necessary infrastructure and access, but also sharing knowledge and expertise to foster equitable development. Equipping individuals with the skills to navigate the digital world is essential. For instance, initiatives like community training centres, online learning platforms and digital literacy campaigns can empower people to utilise AI-powered tools effectively.
Closing the digital divide is not just an act of charity; it’s an investment in a more equitable and prosperous future. By ensuring inclusive access to the transformative power of AI, we can empower individuals and communities, bridge the development gap and unlock the collective potential of a truly interconnected world.
Navigating the ethical landscape
But the challenges posed by AI extend beyond job displacement and the digital divide. We must also confront the ethical questions surrounding its development and deployment. While the potential disruption of jobs and exacerbation of the digital divide are indeed pressing concerns surrounding AI, they represent only the tip of a much deeper ethical iceberg. As we forge ahead in this period of change, we must grapple with an array of ethical questions that demand not just our attention, but immediate and decisive action.
One primary concern lies in the insidious nature of algorithmic bias. AI systems, trained on vast datasets, can inadvertently perpetuate and amplify societal prejudices, leading to discriminatory outcomes in areas like loan approvals, criminal justice and even facial recognition. Algorithmic bias can reinforce existing inequalities, and autonomous systems raise crucial questions about accountability and control: who is responsible for such biases, and how can we ensure fairness and justice in AI-driven decisions?
These are not hypothetical quandaries; they are unfolding in real-time, impacting lives and shaping our collective future. We cannot afford to relegate these issues to the backburner, dismissing them as distant possibilities.
The path forward requires transparency, accountability and a commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout the process. We need diverse teams developing AI solutions, robust oversight mechanisms and clear ethical frameworks to guide its use. Only then can we ensure that AI serves as a force for good, promoting fairness, safety and respect for human rights.
Shaping the future, together
The impact of AI is not pre-destined. By acknowledging the challenges and proactively seeking solutions, we can shape the future of work to be inclusive and prosperous for all. We have the power to ensure that AI becomes a force for good, boosting both economies and individual lives. Let’s choose wisely, together. With collective action and unwavering ethical intent, we can turn the daunting question of ‘what will AI do to us?’ into the empowering statement: ‘Together, what will we do with AI?’